Kota Kinabalu: Datuk Seri Christina Liew will be defending the Api-Api state seat held since 2013 in the coming state election scheduled before October.
She confirmed this at a Chinese New Year luncheon she hosted for media practitioners at Promenade Hotel, Thursday.
The Sabah PKR Political Bureau Chief urged the people to let the Gabungan Rakyat Sabah (GRS) State Government complete its term.
“What’s the hurry? Do not interfere. Give the Government the opportunity to complete its administration, and then let the people decide in the next election. This would be the fairest thing to do.
“We should remain patient and focus on our responsibilities because we believe in the principles of a unity government which prioritises fulfilling our duties and driving economic development.
“We support the Federal (Madani) Government and the State (Sabah Maju Jaya) Government. We support GRS, and that’s why we are working very hard for the people,” she said.
On continued collaboration with GRS, she said Sabah Pakatan Harapan (PH) must first settle internal disputes and only then can they begin searching for potential partners.
“We worry about it when the time comes. Differing views in any political parties, not only two sided, is normal.
“We still have time to implement all projects listed by the State in which some have immediate approval while others are pending Cabinet. We don’t want to look at disputes but on projects good for the State.
“I am a member in the government Cabinet and my Inanam YB Datuk Peto Galim is also an Assistant Minister in the GRS government.
“So if I’m not working in line with the Government, I will not be standing here talking to you,” she said on alleged rift within Sabah PH on a continued pact with GRS post elections.
On the coveted Sabah PH seat now occupied by Upko’s Datuk Ewon Benedick, she said PKR President who is also Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, has not commented on the issue.
The sentiment on the ground is that Upko which joined Sabah PH in 2021 is undeserving of the position compared to PKR which is the Prime Minister’s party containing long-time “fighters”.
Upko, however, democratically won the seat in a six per party vote among the four components, including DAP and Amanah, in December last year.
Pundits view the clash as bold new ideals vs attachment or loyalty between the coalition’s young bloods and veterans.
Christina downplayed the dispute as a non-issue.
“The decision rests on PKR central leadership. Each Sabah PH component party has its own constitution and they would have to discuss,” she said.
